FEATURED ARTICLE

Cannabis relieves chronic low-back pain

A prominent European study published in October 2025 in Nature Medicine suggests cannabis can relieve chronic low-back pain and offers patients better sleep, improved physical function, and a higher quality of life.

The cannabis used was a specific, pharmaceutical-grade extract under investigation (called VER-01), and not the cannabis found in over-the counter products or in recreational cannabis. Researchers note cannabis plants exhibit substantial heterogeneity and varying levels of bio active constituents and cautioned against extrapolating findings obtained with one cannabis extract to others.

The TH in VER-O1 is very low compared to what’s available in gummies,chocolate bars, and other pro ducts sold at marijuana dispensaries in the U.S. Researchers say patients in the trial didn’t show any signs of drug abuse, dependence, or withdrawal. The other two main pharmaceutical options for treating chronic pain – NSAIDs and opioids – pose well documented hazards.

In the recently reported study, VER-01, a full-spectrum extract of cannabis, was compared with a placebo containing sesame oil, cannabis aroma, and colorants to mimic the appearance and sensory characteristics of VER-01. Patients who received cannabis had, on average, ab out a 30% drop in pain after 12 weeks compared to their baseline, while those who took the placebo experienced a 20% reduction.

“Most of the medications that we have at our disposal for treating chronic pain are in that range. So, it’s not panacea, it’s not a compound that is going to treat all chronic pain,” notes Simon Haroutounian, PhD, MSc., a pain expert at the Washington University Pain Center in St. Louis. He made his comments in an interview with NPR.

Nevertheless, the study adds to the evidence cannabis can play a role in treating chronic pain, even though such evidence remains sketchy primarily because of small sample sizes, short treatment durations, inconsistent dosing regimens, heterogeneous outcome measures, and variability across cannabis-based preparations.

Observers are optimistic research into marijuana’s benefits will receive a boost from President Donald Trump’s recent executive order reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I substance – no accepted medical use, high potential for abuse - to a Schedule III drug, which are drugs considered to be medically useful and less likely to be abused.

The White House said its decision was based in part on “a finding by the FDA of credible scientific support to substantiate the use of marijuana in the treatment of pain, anorexia related to certain medical conditions, and nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy. The National Institute on Drug Abuse concurred with the FDA’s recommendation that marijuana be rescheduled from Schedule I to Schedule III of the CSA.”

The National Safety Council applauded the move as it would expand research but cautioned it must come with substantive risk mitigation. “Because cannabis impairs psychomotor skills and cognitive ability, no level of cannabis use is safe or acceptable for drivers or for employees who work in safety-sensitive positions,” it said.